He was named on the First Division's PFA Team of the Year in 2002–03 before he helped the Bramall Lane side achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2005–06.
[10] United finished third in the First Division, and reached the play-off final, where they again faced disappointment with a 3–0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Millennium Stadium.
[11] Having scored eight goals in 58 appearances, Tonge was named on the First Division PFA Team of the Year in 2002–03, alongside midfield teammate Michael Brown.
Having been limited to just three League Cup appearances at the start of the 2009–10 season, he joined Championship side Preston North End on loan on 19 November 2009.
[27] Tonge completed a full pre-season prior to the 2011–12 season, playing in all but one of Stoke's games and scoring in the 3–1 friendly win against Austrian side SV Thal.
[28] On 18 August, he made his first start of the season in Stoke's 1–0 Europa League play-off win against FC Thun, making his European debut in the process.
[34] Tonge made his Leeds United debut on 15 September, partnering Rodolph Austin in central midfield during a 2–1 defeat at Cardiff City.
[43] Manager Ian Holloway said that Tonge's versatility could prove vital following recent injuries to Nicky Bailey and Angel Martinez.
[44] He played six games for the "Lions" during his stay at The Den, but did not feature after Neil Harris replaced Holloway in April in an unsuccessful attempt to steer the club away from relegation.
[46] He made his debut in a 1–1 draw at Portsmouth the following day, and earned praise from assistant manager Kevin Watson, who said: "that is how you play football.
[47] However, he was sent off for the first time in his career during his third match for the "Boro", after committing a two-footed challenge on John Lundstram during a 5–1 defeat to Oxford United at Broadhall Way.
[48] He regained his first-team place after serving his suspension and went on to extend his contract for a further 18 months, leaving manager Teddy Sheringham to remark that "he's a top professional... he's got the enthusiasm of an 18-year-old [and] I think he's come in and he's done a real job for us in midfield".
[50] Tonge struggled for game time at the start of the 2016–17 season but was praised by manager Darren Sarll for working with youngsters Henry Cowans and Dale Gorman in training.
[52] Tonge signed a one-year contract with newly relegated League Two side Port Vale on 4 August 2017 after impressing manager Michael Brown – a former Sheffield United teammate – on a trial basis.
[53] He scored on his debut for the "Valiants" with a deflected free kick in a 3–1 win at Crawley Town on 5 August, and also provided an assist for Antony Kay from another set piece.
[54] On 26 August, he was sent off for a late challenge on George Cooper in a 1–0 defeat to local rivals Crewe Alexandra at Vale Park.
[57] However, he featured for just 16 minutes on the opening day of the 2018–19 season and new Vale manager John Askey confirmed that he would not be offering Tonge a new contract on 16 May.